Here's 100% of the problem with YELP - who get a zero stars from us. It doesn't matter how great you are or how great the work you do is or how long you've been providing quality service to people in your area.. What matters most is the length of the complaint from the one person in the world that you could never make happy - ever. We have had other people say really nice things about us....NONE of them make the cut. NONE. The value you get when you allow a computer system to mandate the quality of the lead. There are no defences available - The review doesn't have to be verified - its just out there. You cannot rectify with the complainer - thats why the reviews out there to begin with. Our side of the argument was never investigated, and there is no desire by Yelp to make anything better. We can have other people give us positive reviews - but they never make the computer cut. That is why we only show one review. I don't trust Yelp - I dont use Yelp and I post positive things for others just to help build THEIR online reputation because I fully recognize how easily it can be smeared. Total injustice in this system. read more

My name is Gary Ferguson, I asked Jolyn and Steve to give me a price on painting the entire interior of my house. Jolyn first came out and explained to me in great detail how they would wash all the walls, paint the base boards and all window trim twice and put two coats on all the walls after they do all drywall repairs from nail pop and corner beads that have cracked due to the settling of my home. She explain how the would move and tarp all my furniture and carpeting. She went into great detail how a large job like this could be done in stages for me to still inhabit the house while work was proceeding. She even gave me advice on what colors to use and to change my hardware to update the interior. Her husband Steve then came out and verified everything Jolyn said and did final measurements and gave me a professional quote broke down for different rooms. Once I can put this large project into my budget, I look forward proceeding into making the interior of my home more up to date and looking like it is brand new! I will defiantly look forward to singing a contract with Straight Line Decorating! read more

I had to tear down my home and rebuild do to termite infestation. It was a complete nightmare and me and my son were uprooted out of our home for over a year. When the house was finally complete Strait-Line decorating painted our entire house!! I was going through cancer at the time and to say the least it was the worst time of my life. They knew how badly we wanted to come home and they went above and beyond donating their time to help us. They went above and beyond with their kindness and awesome ideas for our new home and start! Steve and Jolyn of Straitline are by far the nicest people I have ever met! I have since recommended them to other friends who were exceptionally pleased with their work. In this world unfortunately there are not a lot of good people you meet in the trades but Strait-line are one of the good guys! read more

Strait-Line Decorating was recommended to my husband and I as we were desperately looking to get our new home painted before moving in. Without a doubt, I can say it was the best recommendation! Steve met my husband and me at our new home, and not only quoted us on the job but gave us excellent recommendations for our color selections. We thought we would have to wait for some time to schedule the job, but Steve was extremely accommodating, and Steve's professionals completed our home within the following week! We have been in our new home for almost four months now, and we could not be any more pleased with the work performed by Strait-Line Decorating. From beginning to end was the most pleasant experience, and I would recommend Steve and his team of professionals to everyone! My husband and I were very satisfied! read more

I called Steve to discuss the painting of the exterior of my Homer Glen home. He came out, we spoke and he came across to me as knowledgeable and trustworthy. After I received 2 more quotes my initial instincts proved correct. I called to affirm the contract and set up onto his list. The day came quickly, the work was completed professionally and promptly. Everything on his crew worked with my best interests in mind. The outcome was fantastic and we have had several people compliment on the color and quality of the job. I would strongly recommend Straight-Line for any painting project someone may have. This was my first experience with Steve and I will gladly use him and his family again in the future. read more

Look no further!! Straitline was so incredible to work with and very affordable! We needed to paint a few areas in our office and our corporate wanted everything done before the new year. We called Steve for a quote and not only did he give the cheapest price, but we were able to add a few more rooms with the price that he gave! Our office was open while they did the work and we hardly knew they were here. They were quick, efficient and very polite during the entire process and communicated with us every step of the way! We highly recommend this company and look forward to working with them in the future! Bree Alpha Media read more

Carol, Palos Park, IL (Not San Francisco, CA We have had an ongoing problem with a crack in our kitchen ceiling. Other companies have repaired it, and the crack returned. Strait-Line Decorating repaired the crack, and it stayed repaired. After repairing the crack, they painted and entire kitchen ceiling and adjoining family room ceiling. Both jobs were completed perfectly. In addition, Strait-Line Decorating removed stubborn wallpaper from one of the baths, and touched up an electrical outlet that had been moved. Again we were extremely pleased with both jobs. read more

It's a first class operation. They painted a dining room, a large bedroom, and a kitchen for us, all involving multiple colors and coats. They did the job in just one day, dad, son, daughter and two others working together as a team. They were professional, moved furniture as necessary, used a lot of drop cloths, and were very careful not to do any damage. They did a great job and were just nice people to have around. It was a very good experience. They even shoveled the snow from the front walk so they could bring in their equipment without tracking in wet snow. read more

We used Strait-Line on a second painting project for our house interior. We were very happy with the colors Steve recommended to us. He has a natural "eye" and talent for putting colors together beautifully. Our project also included some drywall repairs. His team was very easy to work with and we appreciated how very carefully they handled and protected our furniture during the entire project. The Venetian Plaster specialty faux paint job in our powder room was very impressive. We would definitely use Strait-line for our future painting needs. read more

Strait-Line Decorating is hands down one of the best contractors I've ever worked with. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a painter. Very reasonable pricing, easy to work with, and completed the job when they said they would. Steve and his crew were very professional from start to finish and VERY clean. We built our house and had Strait-Line paint the entire interior, right before we moved in. They did an amazing job and I will be using them on all projects going forward. - Brian Lemont, IL read more

I am a Realtor and I have used Strait-line for my own personal home as well as recommended them to my clients. Buyers are extremely picky about paint - the job has to be perfection. Strait-line exceeds that standard. I have experienced and received the same feedback from my clients - their team does an excellent job, everyone they have in your home is respectful and friendly and they even clean up after themselves. They are real people, a family business. They care. They are the very best. read more

Strait-Line did a wonderful job painting our entire house!! Wow - did they have their work cut out for them...sanding down our 17 foot walls that were that dark multi-tone sponge look and painting everything light grey!! I love supporting family businesses, and they were just that...father, mother, son, daughter...everybody was so nice and trustworthy! They came and worked hard and really paid attention to detail. Most of all, they were fair in pricing and we didn't get over sold anything! read more

Hired Steve Balthius, owner of Straight-Line, two years ago for a small job, painting the ouside of the front door area. He did an excellent job, thus making him my first contact choice when I decided to have the inside of the house and garage painted recently. Price quoted was fair. Result was excellent. Crew was outstanding, attentive to detail, very careful in moving things breakable, no messes, cleaned up everywhere when done, just overall perfect. Afterwards, all I could say was, "Wow!" read more

8/23/2012 Edit " these guys just painted my house and they did such beautiful work. very proffessional. i had some colors picked out and he helped me come up with all the right colors that blended threw the rooms. when they where finnished it was beautiful. great work. Just had them back a year after to touch up the walls and repaint after the kids messed it up and also painted the basement we just finished ...it's absolute amazing work read more

We bought a townhouse that needed a thorough rehab. We got Straitline from our friends. they came in with a design plan and recommendations as to what was possible. After closing we gave them the keys...three days later we had a beautiful new home. Everything was patched, painted and refinished like new. Top to bottom totally different place. Great way to move in. We're home, read more

I needed some corrective work, so not just any painter would do. Since I had not used Strait-Line previously I hoped all would go well. Now that the job is complete I can honestly say they exceeded my expectations. They listened to my thoughts, they were professional, and timely. They were careful with woodwork, and covered furniture and floors, keeping everything clean. read more

Steve and company were great! We had all interior trim and doors as well as an exterior door painted. They were prompt, precise, quick and thorough. They used quality products and completely cleaned up afterwards. Very happy with the end result. I would recommend and use Strait-Line for any future painting projects. Professional as well as good people to work with! read more

We moved into a new home last year and needed to get some painting done quickly. Strait-Line was recommended to us by a friend and we were extremely pleased with the job that was done. They were professional, fast and the results are beautiful! When we are ready to do additional painting we will be called on them to do the job. Thanks for the great job! read more

We had Strait-Line remove all the wallpaper in our kitchen and paint it along with our living room and dining room. They did a wonderful job patching the cathedral ceilings and matching the colors I selected. I also had them remove the wallpaper in our master bath and put a faux finish on the walls. It turned out beautiful! Jolyn is a true artist! read more